Friday, October 23, 2009

That knitting festival...

One week ago Babs and I had the pleasure of attending what her husband referred to as "...that knitting festival". It was the first time we'd ever crossed state lines together! While calling it a Thelma and Louise typa getaway deal would be somewhat of an overstatement, we did manage to have a bit of a blast at Rhinebeck.

We got to meet lots and lots of new knitting pals:As well as see some old friends, too.There was also some yarn purchasing because I mean, HELLO it is a knitting festival, for Chrissakes:I got the requisite STR because, well, I'm nothing if not 100% predictable. I also picked up some much needed Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair and Sylvan Sprite for a hat pattern that I saw and had to cast on right away [more on that next time]. The yarn I was the most hoping to encounter for my next tam project is interestingly enough the plainest yarn around, Jamieson & Smith Jumper weight. Don't the three colors below just seem desperate to become a Dollheid?I was also fortunate enough to nab the last O W L mug from Jennie the Potter. Scoring the last one of anything will always have a special place in this mad consumer's heart...There was grub at Rhinebeck, and while I am perhaps excessively proud of the fact that the fried dough wasn't part of my equation, the 12 year old me is absolutely stunned that the in-my-40s-me waited in a long, tedious line for. . . artichokes? Huh? But oh they were so delicious. Plus it's not like we had to be anywhere, right? There were also apples, because we were in New York state after all, and let me just say that the Honeycrisp is the king of apples--get one while you still can!I am working on finishing a big project that I hope to have the stones to complete this weekend. As it will involve picking up 279 sts around a neck and collar, the self-defeatist gears in my mind are already wildly spinning, desperately trying to find a way to get out of it. Maybe a new project...

I'm so sorry I didn't see you. I missed just about everyone this year. How is it possible that so many fabulous people were at Rhinebeck and I missed most of them? Perhaps I was too distracted by my own consumerism?

Sorry I didn't see you but I took the exact same Artichoke French sign photo as you! It's on my blog, and I, too, am shocked I waited in line that long. But they were delicious. And the view of all the handknits going by made the wait interesting.

I am so utterly delighted to have made your acquaintance in person. It's kind of a miracle that I didn't snatch your darling acorn hat off your head and run like mad, but now that I've met you, I'd like to stay friends. ;) I skipped the artichokes this year AND the fried dough, but I did eat lots of apples. Honeycrisps are heavenly, aren't they? My husband always worries when they first appear at our farmer's market, because i gasp audibly and grab his arm (or something like that), and it takes a sec for him to realize what's got me going.

I may have to find a way to get to Rhinebeck next year if only so I can find out what these mysterious artichoke delicacies are! My grandmother's name was Freda, so I think I'd have to have an Artichoke Freda just because of that.

Awesome grab on that mug! I love Jennie the Potter! Anyone who can calmly sit and watch several of my children play with her clay and not worry about any accidental touching of pre-fired pots... (not that MY children would do any of that! others already had, so my children got to play with the clay from the sadly dented bowls...) while working away at her wheel and chatting casually, encouraging me to find a pottery class for my enthusiastic children to enjoy- wins big starts in my book. That, and I LOVE her work!!